Calum Chambers agrees with new teammate's Arsenal stance following transfer exit
Former England defender Calum Chambers will be met by a familiar face at Aston Villa having joined Steven Gerrard's side from Arsenal in a shock January transfer
Calum Chambers has echoed Emiliano Martinez 's comments on leaving Arsenal after linking up with his former teammate at Aston Villa.
The defender, 27, has permanently left the Emirates after seven-and-a-half years to join Steven Gerrard's Villa on a three-and-a-half year contract.
The deal took shape rapidly before it was announced on Thursday evening, and Chambers became the latest in a raft of players to depart the Gunners in the January window.
The Englishman will be met by a familiar face when he arrives at Villa Park as Martinez made the same move in September 2020.
The goalkeeper, 29, has more than lived up to his £17million price tag and Chambers will hope for similar success after swapping red and white for claret and blue.
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Reflecting on his reasons for leaving Arsenal, the former Three Lions star admitted it was a "no brainer" to join a "massive club" where he will have more first-team opportunities.
Chambers - who made just five Arsenal appearances this season - told VillaTV : "It was a chance to really kick on for myself in my career.
"That was one of the main reasons why Villa was so perfect for me.
"That was one of the decisions to come here. I can’t wait to get training, get playing and be in and amongst it and get my first game at Villa Park.
"I am extremely excited. It is a massive club and they are in a great moment. Everyone can see that from the outside.
"Things are happening here and the club is definitely moving in the right direction. For me it was a no-brainer. It is great club and it was the right thing for me to do."
Chambers' comments echo those made by Martinez as he departed Arsenal, when he declared he was making a step up by joining a "big club" in Villa.
"When I decided to come to Villa it was because I trusted the manager's ambitions, the club's ambitions," the Argentine said.
"I knew what a big club Villa is. People don't realise how big it is."
Martinez added: "I want to take this club as high as possible and I think we're on the right path."
Chambers could make his debut alongside Martinez as Villa return to action on Wednesday 9 February to host Leeds United in the Premier League.
Gerrard's side are 11th in the table after a mixed January, while sixth-placed Arsenal have given up key ground in the race for Champions League qualification by dropping points in their last two games.